The First Friday IM norm round robin tournament that is taking place from 4th until the 8th of November is heating up. Jodi Azarya Setyaki, a talented Indonesian FM, is playing some strong chess to lead the event with 3.5/4. India's reigning national under-17 champion Rithvik Raja is on the second spot along with Malaysian Mas Hafizulhelmi. Grandmaster Niaz Murshed has simply been unable to get going and has four draws from four rounds. We have an illustrated report with pictures and games.
After two days of double rounds it's the young FM from Indonesia who is leading the event with 3.5/4.
Jodi is showing nice balance of attacking and positional chess as he downed his country mate Mahmud Syarif in round one | Photo: Peter Long
Two players on joint second spot Rithvik Raja and Mas Hafizulhelmi | Photo: Peter Long
Rithvik is in Kuala Lumpur after his success at the under-17 nationals. He has shown solid chess and currently is on 3.0/4 with two wins and two draws. His positional win against experienced IM Lioe Dede was quite impressive.
The first GM to take part in First Friday events Niaz Murshed is struggling with four draws out of four rounds.
| Photo: Peter Long
Nine participants out of ten captured in one frame!
| Photo: Peter Long
General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation Hisham Al Taher (in red) paid a visit to Kuala Lumpur. In the picture are Shin Azwin (arbiter of the event in light blue shirt), Peter Long (organizing secretary - dark blue t-shirt) and Maung Maung Lwin who is an FM and Fide Trainer.
| Photo: Peter Long
Now the games of November edition of First Friday are live on ChessBase India: